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Nevada City’s ol’ Republic Brewery won five awards at the California State Fair commercial craft brew competition last week.

Ol’ Republic, owned by brewers Jim Harte and Simon Olney, took gold in the English IPA category for its version with English hops and a malty backbone; silver in the Schwarzbier category for their Bavarian Black Lager with a subtle coffee aroma and restrained Noble hop bitterness and flavor; and silver in the California Common category for the California Amber Lager with a deep, malty body balanced with generous portions of hops. The brewery also received silver in the American Stout category for its Export Stout and bronze in the Dortmunder category for their Dead Canary brew, a German blond lager that is straw-colored, light and crisp with a medium-dry finish.

“We are very happy,” said Olney. “This is a big event open to every single commercial brewery in California. We were up against well-established breweries, and we showed really well.”

The State Fair event was the first commercial competition ol’ Republic Brewery had entered, said Harte.

“California has significant and prestigious breweries, so we were out there rubbing elbows with the best of them.”

The brewery was also one of four breweries invited to a State Fair gala dinner, Olney said, adding, “We’re having quite the week.”

Ol’ Republic opened in February 2012 with the intent of offering handcrafted lagers and ales.